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Friday, May 22, 2015

Judo World Masters Mohammed VI, Rabat 2015 - Preview

(Via IJF)

RABAT REACHES THE TOP

The IJF World Judo Tour has now moved on to Morocco
for the invite-only World Judo Masters event which will take place from
23-24 May at the Palace of Sport in Rabat. For the very first time in
history, after Suwon (KOR 2010), Baku (AZE 2011), Almaty (KAZ 2012) and
Tyumen (RUS 2013) the event gathering the top sixteen athletes per
weight category will be held on the African soil. Under the patronage of
the King of Morocco, his Highness Mohammed VI, the World Judo Masters
will offer 700 points to the winners.

The efforts made by the Moroccan Judo Federation with
the support of the International Judo Federation, to welcome delegations
and officials and to propose a world class event, are impressive and
the stadium which hosts the event, totally dressed in red, is visible
from afar. The welcome conditions, the accommodation and preparation are
optimal.

During the official draw of the competition, Mr. Marius
Vizer, the IJF President, declared: “It is a great honour and occasion
to be united in Rabat, one year prior to the Olympic Games and I am
convinced that we will have a fantastic event. Year by year, the
popularity of judo is increasing and we have had so far a lot of
successes. I can already announce that next year, the event will be held
in Mexico, in Guadalajara. I wish good luck to all the participants.“

Mr. Vizer also added: “I want to underline the very
good synergy between the African Judo Union and the IJF to organise this
edition of the World Masters. This event, which under the hospices of
the King of Morocco, his Majesty Mohammed VI, is very important. It is a
great promotion for our sport that will be broadcasted over 150
countries. It is a fantastic tool to show the values, the tradition and
the culture of Morocco worldwide.“

After his address to the 51 heads of delegations, who
were present for the draw, Mr. Marius Vizer presented the IJF Golden
Plaque to the Moroccan Judo Federation President, Mr. Chafik El KETTANI,
who said: “In the name of the federation, the Olympic Committee and the
Ministry of Youth and Sports, I want to welcome you all in Rabat, the
capital of Morocco, on African soil. Thank you very much to his Majesty,
the King Mohammed VI, who has been strongly supporting us since the
beginning. My gratitude goes to Mr. Vizer, to his staff and to the AJU
staff. This event is important for Morocco and for Africa. We want to
transform our continental open into a Grand Prix. We also want to open a
new training African Centre in our country. Having such an event here,
will help us to succeed in our goals. Morocco is a county of peace and
confidence. I am looking forward to watching great judo during the next
two days and to see the spirit of our sport and the fairplay fly over
the world.“

General Lasana Palenfo, the African Judo Union
President said: “It is with great pleasure that I see you all here.
Welcome to Morocco. After several continental events, I am happy to
welcome the IJF back on our continent. I thank his Majesty, Mohammed VI,
for his support and all of you, who made that event possible.“

The format of the competition, that brings together the
top sixteen athletes per weight category of the moment, ensures a
quality show and every fight will be the equivalent of a World Judo Tour
final. Places on the podium will be particularly expensive, in a
context where it is very difficult to make any predictions.

Last year, Morocco, which has a long tradition of
organizing international events (Junior World Championships Agadir 2010,
Casablanca continental open), proposed its candidature to host the
Masters 2015. After the world championships, the World Masters is the
most important competition in the world.

Since 2007 and the election of Mr. Marius Vizer as the
IJF President, judo has deeply evolved and modernized. In recent years,
the international calendar was extended by numerous events (Grand Prix,
Grand Slam, Masters) which all give points for the world ranking, which
itself determines the Olympic qualifications. The rules have been
adapted to offer a more dynamic and spectacular judo and to offer to the
athlete the opportunity to restore their taste to score ippon.
Undoubtedly, the competitions of this weekend will perfectly illustrate
this evolution and the medalists of Rabat might step again in the podium
of the Rio Games in 2016.

WOMEN

-48kg

The 2013 world champion and world number one, MUNKHBAT
Urantsetseg (MGL) has much to do in a category where the differences
between the athletes are less and less visible. The silver medallist of
the last World Championships, Paula PARETO (ARG) is demonstrating great
consistency at the international level and the Japanese, KONDO Ami, who
despite a small hiccup in Düsseldorf earlier this year, remains on a
nice series in 2015. The recent African champion, Taciana LIMA (GBS) has
also shown that she has a great international potential, as well as the
Romanian Monica UNGUREANU, who won a superb gold medal in Baku a few
weeks ago.

-52kg

With the two top athletes of the category being absent
(especially Majlinda KELMENDI from Kosovo), the top seeded athlete of
the Masters will be Andreea CHITU (ROU) who might take this opportunity
to move forward in the world ranking. Natalia KUZIUTINA (RUS), who won
the Qingdao Grand Prix last year and was present on the podium in
Chelyabinsk, will also try to gain some precious points to secure
Olympic qualification. The other favourites for a place in the final
block will be Mareen KRAEH (GER), Gili COHEN (ISR), Yuki HASHIMOTO
(JPN), Jaana SUNDBERG (FIN), Yulia RYZHOVA (RUS) and MA Yingnan (CHN).

-57kg

The -57kg category will feature some of the best
athletes in the world with the presence of world leader, Telma MONTEIRO
(POR), Olympic medallist and silver medallist of the 2013 worlds Marti
MALLOY (USA), the Romanian Corina CAPRIORIU and Miryam ROPER of Germany,
who despite her feeling of having a little trouble coming back to her
best, could still show her experience at this level of competition. But
the leading name of the category remains the Olympic champion, MATSUMOTO
Kaori (JPN) who will face Sabrina FILZMOSER (AUT) in the first round.
If the Japanese fell slightly in the world rankings, she remains one of
the undisputed favourites for the title.

-63kg

Due to a foot injury just before the Masters, the world
number one, Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (FRA), will follow the competition from
the stands. Her friend, Yarden GERBI (ISR) might take this opportunity
to steal the spotlight. She will find on her way to the title, Kathrin
UNTERWURZACHER (AUT), Martyna RAJDOS (GER), Edwige GWEND (IRA), TASHIRO
Miku (JPN), Anne-Laure BELLARD (FRA), Hilde DREXLER (AUT) and YANG
Junxia (CHN). Rizlen ZOUAK (MAR), will represent Morocco with good
chance to reach the final four.

-70kg

The world number one, back in top-level action, Kim
POLLING (NED), could secure her superiority over the category in Rabat.
Nevertheless, she will have to thwart the medal desires of the other
contenders: Laura VARGAS KOCH (GER), the current world champion, Yuri
ALVEAR (COL), the Pan-American champion, Kelita ZUPANCIC (CAN),
Bernadette GRAF (GER), Sally CONWAY (GBR), ARAI Chizuru (JPN), and the
Olympic medallist, Gevrise EMANE (FRA). An other chance for the host
country will come from Assmaa NIANG.

-78kg

With the Brazilian world champion and world number one,
Mayra AGUIAR, absent, it is the French judoka Audrey TCHEUMEO, who will
be the favourite in the category. But it is difficult to make
predictions while the world and Olympic champion, Kayla HARRISON (USA)
is in second position and other athletes such as Luise MALZAHN (GER),
JOO Abigel (HUN), both dutch athletes, Marhinde VERKERK and Guusje
STEENHUIS, Victoriia TURKS (UKR) and Natalie POWELL (GBR) are also in
the draw.

+78kg

World champion and Olympic champion, Idalys ORTIZ
(CUB), may this weekend go down in history of world judo by adding a
World Masters title to her already impressive prize list. The heiress of
TONG Wen (CHN), YU Song, could prevent the Cuban to obtain a new
worldwide honour. Among the other favourites for the title will be
Franziska KONITZ (GER), YAMABE Kanae (JPN), Nihel CHEIKH ROUHOU (TUN),
TACHIMOTO Megumi (JPN), another Chinese, MA Sisi, and the Ukrainian,
Svitlana IAROMKA.

MEN

-60kg

The world number one, GANBAT Boldbaatar (MGL) will
undoubtedly be one of the favourites. But the World Master title could
go back to world number two Amiran PAPINASHVILI (GEO), while TAKATO
Naohisa (JPN), number four in the ranking list, will try to take points
to move up in the rankings. The Russian team, which came into Rabat in
force, could also put a man on the podium, in the form of Beslan
MUDRANOV. But it is without counting on other outsiders who could upset
the established order.

-66kg

Russian, Mikhail PULYAEV, will be the favourite in the
category of -66kg, while the Mongolian DAVAADORJ Tumurkhuleg could meet
him in the final if all goes well for both leaders. But they will find
on their way the magician Georgii ZANTARAIA (UKR), Dzmitry SHERSHAN
(BLR) and the British fighter Colin OATES, who finished second on the
occasion of the Baku Grand Slam a few weeks ago. One must not forget the
former world champion and Olympic medallist Rishod SOBIROV (UZB), who
is committed to showing that he is still among the best judo players in
the world.

-73kg

The Dutchman Dex ELMONT will be challenged for the
title in a category that will be hotly-disputed. Rustam ORUJOV (UZB),
who recently won the Grand Slam of Baku, is ambushed at the second place
in the world ranking, while SAINJARGAL Nyam-Ochir (MGL) and his third
place at the world ranking, also wants to demonstrate his strength. But
Israeli, Sagi MUKI, could thwart all predictions, while world medallist,
Victor SCVORTOV (UAE), could allow the UAE to win a first medal at the
World Masters.

-81kg

The -81kg category will definitely be one of the most
anticipated categories of the weekend with the presence of world number
one and world champion, Avtandili TCHRIKISHVILI (GEO) who has shown some
flaws during his last appearances. He will be closely followed by the
2013 world champion, Loic PIETRI (FRA) who would like to show him that
he is the leader of the category. But what about Antoine VALOIS-FORTIER,
Olympic and world medallist, who always raises his level at major
events, or the Russian roster which has no fewer than four athletes
competing, Ivan NIFONTOV, Khasan KHALMURZAEV, Alan KHUBETSOV and
Sirazhudin MAGOMEDOV. American Travis Stevens will look to take the
advantage of the World Masters occasion.

-90kg

Georgia will present its second world leader in the
person of Varlam LIPARTELIANI who almost steps on the podium on every
appearance. In the absence of world number two, it's Noel VAN T END
(NED) who is waiting to snatch the trophy from LIPARTELIANI. But it will
probably not be the idea of the reiging world and 2004 Olympic
champion, Ilias ILIADIS (GRE), who could once again show his experience
at this level. The two Russians Kirill VOPROSOV and Kirill DENISOV, will
also be part of the favourites to claim a medal, while the Cuban, Asley
GONZALEZ, world champion in 2013, marks a comeback on the international
scene.

-100kg

The world champion and world leader, Lukas KRPALEK
(CZE), could add another important line to his prize list here in Rabat,
though Elmar GASIMOV (AZE) will be a serious contender for the title.
It will also be interesting to follow the fight between the two German
judoka, Karl-Richard FREY and Dimitri PETERS, who are battling to decide
who will go to the Games next year. The French Cyril MARET, who still
lacks consistency, could seize the opportunity to shine at the highest
level, while Dutch Henk GROL is always in pursuit of a major title in
the category. One must not forget, another world champion from 2013, who
is fighting, Elkhan MAMMADOV (AZE).

+100kg

Who can dethrone the seven-time world champion and
Olympic champion, Teddy RINER (FRA), who will be expected to win by
everybody in Rabat. Slightly injured a few weeks ago, these World
Masters are a real test for the king RINER. Will it be Adam OKRUASHVILI
(GEO), Faicel JABALLAH (TUN) who can destabilise him? Or should one
count on a repeat of the final of the last world championships between
the French and the Japanese, SHICHINOHE Ryu, who was close to score to
discover who will be the next opponent to RINER? Answer Sunday.